SHARP CONTRAST

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1931, Page 6

SHARP CONTRAST

NEW ZEALAND AND SWEDISH LIQUOR LAWS.’ TIGHT STATE CONTROL. Anyone arriving in New Zealand direct from Sweden is likely to get a great surprise at the wide contrast between the liquor laws in that country and in New Zealand. Mr Victor Bergvall, who js visiting New Zealand at present, says that'the difference is so- great that there is really no comparison. For example there are in Sweden no hotels as we know them; no places or bars where men 1 may go to drink just as- much as they have money to pay for. The hotels are not allowed to serve spirits or wines to anyone save with their meals.

“Practically,” says Air Bergvall, “the liquor business is Government controlled. There are private companies operating in the sale of liquor, but their profits are limited by law to 5 per cent, per annum—the rest goes to the Government. Under these conditions one would ordinarily think that the Government would he inclined to foster the consumption of alcoholic liquors. Such is not the case, however. No one under the age of 25 years is allowed to purlicase liquor, even Tor home consumption. That business is all regulated by law. As soon as a man reaches the of 25 years he may register, and thereafter he may purchase a certain amount of cognac, whisky or wine per month, according to his requirements, character and the length of his purse, but never in excess of a certain amount—usually a maximum of four litres a month.

“When you register a full account of whom and what you are is kept, and a card system notes your purchases from time to time. There are lots of restrictions against drinking besides age and the cost. For example, a man cannot buy any liquor whatsoever if his income tax is in arrears, nor is he allowed to purchase liquor if his character will not stand analysis, or if he is known to ill-treat his wife and family.

“When a man changes his residence from place to place he has to submit to a certain formality before he is allowed to purchase liquor. The authorities in the new parish write to tho c e of the old parish for the man’s record, and that is duly entered up- in the very complete card system index. One may not purchase casually in any parish hut his own; nor may one allow a friend to use his name in any such purchase. A light beer of the Pilsener order may he purchased in the cafes, hut anything in the nature of spirits comes under the law mentioned.” MPSkABHBBKBBMBBBBMMBMWBBI